Private It's Not a Date I Swear

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

A little time had passed for Valaine working and learning beneath Vakhari since she had met her on Korriban, and now she found herself upon Terminus; a planet that wasn't all too dissimilar to her home of Jutrand. While she still found herself very much enjoying the eccentric doctor's company she desired that deeper connection, for her to be able to view the Sangnir as a genuine friend. With that in mind she had invited Vakhari out for a treat with her at a reasonably quiet alcove within the city. The alcove had a small bench and table that overlooked some distant buildings that flickered with neon lights in the night. She'd expected that both of them might appreciate the coolness and quiet of the late evening as opposed to being out in the middle of the noisy day.

Because of the work and training she had been getting from Vakhari, Valaine's sleeping pattern was kind of all over the place, so at this point having something to eat this late in the day had become somewhat normal for her.

She had already obtained the food ahead of time and to her own credit she thought she had been devilishly clever with her selection. Before herself in a small container was a dessert, what appeared to be a slice of dense cake rich with the aroma and flavor of coffee, ever so lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Besides that was a relatively small cup of coffee to compliment. In front of the empty seat next to her she had placed what would be Vakhari's food; a smooth and delicate strawberry and cream dessert, exceptionally sweet, far sweeter than anything the doctor would enjoy... and naturally there was a much larger cup of coffee compared to her own.

The table was a war plan to Valaine, her strategy perhaps obvious but assured. She had also considered her attire for the evening too, gone were the boring dull black robes she often wore at the academy. Instead she wore a comfy grey jacket, cuffed, collared, and lined on the inside with synthetic fur that made for a warm and comfortable fit for the cool night breeze, joined with a light red scarf loosely coiled around her neck.

All was set, the night was clear, now she just had to wait for her teacher to arrive... Which was hopefully before the coffee got cold.

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine

People have been doing this as of late, taking her to locations to share food with her. To others it was obvious, but for Vakhari she was simply confused. But who would turn down food? Much less with added coffee?

Valaine appeared to have dressed up for this meeting, Vakhari would be wearing a grey turtleneck, sporting cozy leggings and black boots.

"You know, if we wanted to discuss your upcoming surgery and or things you have learned so far... I do justtttt happen to have a rather cozy lab."

She jests halfway before taking a seat next to Valaine, looking out at the neon lights. Even she would admit it was a nice view... Aside from the smog of course.

"Speaking of which, I do think all of the supplies for your augmentation have arrived. I ordered in some materials, I know I know, I'm just the best."

Vakhari crosses her arms, giving a smug glare to Valaine.

"Your knowledge of say arteries has improved- But, your handiwork at the autopsy table is more akin to butchery over clinical precision."

The girl lets out a mild sigh, everything takes time of course. ​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

Valaine's gaze caught Vakhari as she appeared, offering her a soft smile of greeting as the doctor moved to sit besides her. It wasn't too often she got to see her in something that wasn't her lab coat and so she found it a welcome change.

"You know, if we wanted to discuss your upcoming surgery and or things you have learned so far... I do justtttt happen to have a rather cozy lab."

"It is a very cozy lab, but you know, some fresh-... Uh, some... air is nice now and then too." she paused as she glanced over her attire once more, "You look nice." she added as she then gestured to the large cup of coffee and strawberry cake slice in front of the doctor, "Those are yours. Coffee is like it always is." Honestly at times Valaine wondered if she had gotten more training as a barista than a surgeon learning under Vakhari at this point.

With that said Valaine cut off a small piece of the coffee cake in front of herself with a disposable fork, promptly taking a bite from it as she hummed with satisfaction. My, what a good cake, what a very good coffee-tasting and coffee-scented cake. Her eyes glanced sidelong at Vakhari for a brief moment before turning to the neon lights in the distance. The first step of her plan had taken place...

"Speaking of which, I do think all of the supplies for your augmentation have arrived. I ordered in some materials, I know I know, I'm just the best."

Valaine swallowed down her bite and looked to the other woman, "Ahh already? So efficient and quick!" she smirked lightly as she reached for her small cup of coffee and took a sip. "Mm- We'll be doing it soon then? Are you excited?" she asked. Having watched Vakhari work her craft for some time now she was more than confident that the surgery would go exactly as planned, Valaine was so certain of this that she didn't even appear nervous in the slightest. There's frankly no one she'd rather have operate on her.

At the prodding of her own skill however she offered a light pout, "It's all the coffee I'm drinking lately... It's hard to keep my hand steady when there's that much caffeine in my system... But I thought I did really well with extracting the heart in one piece at least. That was good at least right? Not as messy as the last time..." she hummed at the thought. "At least I wasn't hungry..." At that note; packs of blood in the lab had been going missing for a while now, ever since Valaine started learning with Vakhari... It was true that she still very much disliked cold blood, but it was a safe option at least.

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine
​

"It's all the coffee I'm drinking lately... It's hard to keep my hand steady when there's that much caffeine in my system... But I thought I did really well with extracting the heart in one piece at least. That was good at least right? Not as messy as the last time..."

"Mm, I see I see."

Vakhari grabs her offered drink, taking a nice sip as the heat warmed her up against the nighttime air.

"Then perhaps make your own separate coffee?"

She liked to load her coffee with enough espresso shots to kill a rancor, it was always a wonder how the doctor never had a heart attack.

"Excited? I suppose, to me it is more routine. I feel focused when working my craft, I feel joy. I can assure you I will give you the same level of focus, I only settle for perfection."

She then takes a glance at her meal, leaning in to inspect the dish. The smell was alright, but she could taste the sweetness in the air...

Trying a bite she grimaces as she chewed, quickly flushing it down with her coffee.

"N-not one for sweets... But thank you."





​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

"Then perhaps make your own separate coffee?"

A gentle sigh followed, "I thought smaller amounts would be fine... Besides don't you build a kind of tolerance for this sort of stuff...?" she asked. A smile appear on her lips when Vakhari mentioned the joy that her work gave her. It was partly why Valaine liked to be around her, seeing such joy in someone was rare in her view and it always brought her some sense of it in return by simply witnessing it. Even if it seemed that Vakhari was happiest when she was elbow deep in someone's chest cavity...

"I'm certain you will, Vakhari. The limits still stand though; no bringing your knife anywhere near my face, and no taking anything you shouldn't. At least without asking first." she reminded as she then watched the doctor turn to the strawberry treat before her. Valaine watched with anticipation and when it was clear that Vakhari didn't like it, as expected, her carefully strategized plan came into effect.

"Oh, you don't like it?" she asked as she made a pout that she had practiced. "I'm so sorry Vakhari. Ah... Wait, perhaps you'd prefer mine instead?" she asked as she nudged her own coffee-flavored cake towards her. "It tastes just like coffee, and it's not really sweet at all. We can swap, I don't mind, really. I haven't even put my fork back into it yet, so no germs either." she smirked softly. She'd picked up on quite a few of Vakhari's habits so far, so with any luck she had set this up perfectly as a way to try and further endear herself to the doctor. If the Sangnir hadn't been living up to her surname before, she sure was trying to now...

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine

The offer was considered, it wouldn't take long before she swapped the plates around.

"Thank you, overly sweet things are not something my pallet agrees with."
​

"I'm certain you will, Vakhari. The limits still stand though; no bringing your knife anywhere near my face, and no taking anything you shouldn't. At least without asking first."

"Well of course, I have no reason to do anything with your face. And the goal of this surgery is to add to you, not take away."

In general she had caught on to the snacking habits of Valaine very early on... Do you really think Vakhari is the type to not notice when even one of her obsessively organized items goes missing? However, she let it slide. Valaine had been providing samples of her own blood after all, it was only a matter of time before Vakhari found something to do with it.

Next she tries the new plate, the smell far more appetizing to her. This seemed like something best saved for dessert over being a main course, knowing Vakhari she would get side tracked and forget to properly eat back at the lab.

Gently she glides her fork through the treat, getting a small chunk before giving it the taste test..... Savoury, bitter, the aftertaste of mocha. Her previous grimace had turned into a smile, this was a much better pick.

​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

Valaine watched for Vakhari's response to the coffee cake and the reaction made her smile softly. "It's good, huh?" she asked as she instead took a slice of the strawberry one. In truth Valaine really liked the strawberry cake, and so the swap was just as beneficial to her too. She hummed in delight when she took a bite and the leaned back comfortably in her seat as her grey eyes shifted over to the distant city lights again.

"You know I never got to try stuff like this back on Jutrand. Never really had the credits for it, or the friends, and I mostly just kept to the lower levels. A part of me wishes that I'd started breaking out of my shell sooner, but then I might've not gotten to experience things like this for the first time with someone I like." she spoke, reaching for her cup of coffee to take another sip, the heat from the cup steaming against the cold air as she did so.

"... I suppose what I'm trying to say is while it may not seem like much to you, it's been pretty important to me, so... You know. Thanks Vakhari. I appreciate it." she offered as she glanced to her once more, "Makes my life feel just a little bit normal for once."

After offering her heartfelt thanks she took another bite from her cake, and then it was time to perhaps enact a plan she didn't have as much faith in as the last... "Hm, it is a little bit cold out here though..." she spoke as she scooted ever so slightly towards the doctor, "Is it just me?" she asked.

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine

"Never had the credits, I see."

An odd turn of events where she could and couldn't relate to such a plight, even back when she was in the selfsame lowest position she still got pretty much what she wanted thanks to bargaining.

"I would hope that you remembered what I told you."

Vakhari raises a brow in a playful manner, hopeful that not all of her words went over Valaine's head. Taking more of a chug of her drink she listened in to what Valaine was saying, but first a slice of the coffee cake...

Delicious and bitter, she savoured each bite as the flavour danced inside her mouth.

"Well that is good, if it is important to you then you should pick up what I am teaching in no time. Perhaps before you butcher another cadaver yes?"

But, that did leave a question, several in fact.

"What I wonder though is what you plan on doing with my teachings? Do you plan to pursue the field of medicine? Perhaps to save others who are in the position you were in? There is merit in that for sure, I have done my own bit of saving. Or do you wish to use this for more nefarious reasons? In time I will be showing you how to make beasts, viruses... Assuming you keep up of course."

She twirls her fork, understand a little more.

"Or, are you simply here because of me?"

The test had been given, Vakhari was eager to see the results.

"And yes, it is cold. Didn't we test your resistance to lower temperatures?"

​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

"I would hope that you remembered what I told you."

"You're never poor so long as you find what you're good at." Valaine spoke, recalling what Vakhari had said the first time they met with a smirk as she glanced to her. "I do pay attention, you know? Despite how bored I look all the time." She reached to her cup for another sip, lightly placing it back down as she watched Vakhari seemingly enjoy the coffee cake. She couldn't help but smile softly in response, it was a good idea to get it for her.

She took another bite from her own cake before leaning back slightly in her seat, listening as Vakhari proceeded to go into her rather important question. She'd thought about it a little, what she could do with this knowledge she was taught. She honestly expected she'd just keep helping Vakhari in her works for the foreseeable future. She hadn't given too much thought to branching out on her own yet, making her own name as it were.

But then came the question that seemed to make the young Sangnir pause with a sudden hitched breath.

"Or, are you simply here because of me?"

Her tired eyes looked to the doctor and there was just the lightest bit of concern in her gaze as she thought about it. The truth of it was simple; she had wanted to be close to Vakhari, to learn more about her, to try and befriend her. All because she thought she was beautiful when she smiled, when she took joy in her work, when she enthusiastically went into deep detail of her favorite subjects.

She knew what answer Vakhari likely wanted to hear, and it would be easy enough to just give it. But as she looked upon her she was struck with a deep sense of guilt; she didn't want to have to lie to her. If she truly wanted to become closer to her, then she couldn't start with a lie. It'd just poison everything else that was built upon it.

The Sangnir brought a hand to her head as she brushed her dark hair back with a drawn sigh while looking to the distant neon sights. It would be easy to tell that there was a conflict within her thoughts, taking far longer to respond than she should.

In the end she chose honesty.

She looked back towards Vakhari with a soft frown. "... Do you remember during our first meeting? I admired your passion for your work, I still do... My life has been one that started in hell, that is still hell, and for the longest time I believed that it would continue to be hell. Nothing good has ever happened to me, and I never expected it ever would."

There was a pause as she set her sights once more upon the distant lights, another sigh following. "Even at the academy... I fell behind my peers, nobody really took note of me at first, but then the one person who did was only set on manipulating me for some purpose. Hell had followed me across the stars." A hand reached forward to her cup of coffee, lightly swirling the liquid inside as she stared into the cup.

"Then... Just by chance, I meet someone who displayed such a joy for her work, who spoke so eagerly about it, that I was honestly stunned. This person in front of me seemed so happy with where she was in life, and I wanted what she had. I thought that if I stick around her, that maybe I'd be able to have that same kind of passion for something, feel that same joy and accomplishment. A purpose."

She smiled gently at the memory and then her tired eyes turned back to Vakhari. "It's... Not exactly what you're thinking. Yes, you're attractive, yes I'm attracted to you, but that's not the reason I want to be around you Vakhari. I'm... Trying to help myself. It just so happens that I ended up pretty fond of you at the same time."

A pause for a sip of coffee before the cup was placed back down. "But... These past few days, weeks, however long it's been, where you've been teaching me your craft, and damn have I been trying my best to learn... I'm finding that I'm starting to enjoy it too. If you'd asked me back at our first meeting if I'd ever feel accomplished or happy with pulling someone's heart out of their chest intact, I'd have probably winced. But now that I'm here, and I've been making progress, I only ever look forward to what I might be able to do tomorrow. Maybe next I could extract the whole nervous system as one complete and whole thing along with the brain and eyes? That'd be awesome right?" she smirked lightly, she'd truly started to appreciate the form of a body, humanoid or otherwise.

"I'm enjoying my training, and I'm glad you're teaching me. The future though? I haven't thought too far ahead. There's so much more to learn in each field right? We haven't even started with augmentation, with cosmetic surgery, or even really anything to do with chemistry or bio-engineering. There's still so much I can learn, I feel like I can't really decide on what my end goal is yet without... well, trying everything else first. If I choose to be a surgeon now, to heal or dissect, what if I discover later that actually manufacturing weapons is far more my thing?"

She sighed breathlessly, having worked herself into something of a flurry of words herself for once. Perhaps a little payback for how often Vakhari spoke at such lengths when she taught. "But... you know, broadly speaking, I'd be fine just being your assistant you know? Even if I become accomplished, I'd like to keep helping you. Maybe even one day I'll be that useful to you? And... I don't care if you'll ever see me in the same light that I see you, being besides you is more than enough."

As she leaned forward she stared down at the table, fingers lightly drumming against it. She wasn't sure how Vakhari would response to her answer. Maybe she didn't like it, maybe everything would just come to a stark and abrupt halt right here, maybe nothing good ever did happen for her after all. She shuddered at the thought, both hands curling around the cup of coffee in contemplation.

"... But yes, it is cold." she repeated.

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine

For once she finds herself both right and wrong at the same time, it wasn't the answer she was looking for... But, it was a honest one. The girl spends some time compiling the details, thinking over and remembering every single teaching session they have done.

It was hard to get past the scrutiny and inquisitive eyes of an Arkanian, truth be told Valaine had been under careful inspection this whole time. Every movement, facial expression, conversation. All logged and stored within Vakhari, the student may not be the best in the world- But that passion would see her through, of this the young Lutris was certain.

And so, she leans forward, taking her eyes off the food as she too peered out at the neon lights shrouded in smog.​

"... Do you remember during our first meeting? I admired your passion for your work, I still do... My life has been one that started in hell, that is still hell, and for the longest time I believed that it would continue to be hell. Nothing good has ever happened to me, and I never expected it ever would."

"You're still there."

Vakhari says, starting to open up.

"We all are."

She lays down her fork, smiling to Valaine.

"All around us, have you ever saw it? Truly saw it? This whole galaxy is nothing but rot, where progress and self determined fate is null. The only thing that stands are monuments to greed, selfish minds who want to keep the cycle of rot so they can hold dearly onto their little titles and empires."

Valaine was finally getting a small peek at who the doctor was.

"Your answer disappointed me at first, but the more I processed the finer details I can see that you do enjoy learning. From day one onto this very moment I have kept an eye on you, progress within the skill is one thing... The passion for it is another."

The young Lutris sighs, glancing down as she noticed Valaine had scooted closer.



​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

"You're still there."

Valaine nodded softly in agreement. Survival was always a core of who she was, always something she held to, it was what defined her in so many ways. "Still here..." she repeated, as if it brought some level of comfort to her. She glanced to Vakhari to catch that smile and she couldn't help but return a soft one of her own at the sight. She truly did think Vakhari was beautiful when she smiled, even more so when it was directed towards herself.

She followed her gaze to the lights behind the smog again. "Maybe my 'hell', and your 'rot' are the same? Seeing the Galaxy for what it is, but from a different angle. I never really wanted to leave Jutrand, as much as I hated my life there. Perhaps somehow I knew that the rest of the Galaxy was just as bad... But of all the stars out there, I'm just glad I found the brightest one." she spoke softly, delivering perhaps one of the corniest compliments yet.

Her tired eyes turned to Vakhari, frowning ever so lightly at the mention of her answer having at first been disappointing, but that frown soon shifted back into a gentle smile. "Well I'm glad I at least caught your attention a little... And... That you actually seem to think I'm doing okay? That means a lot to me, I've... Never really done that well in anything, but if you're telling me I am?" she hummed, "It's about the highest praise I've ever gotten. Don't get soft on me now." she smirked playfully towards her.

And then, scooting just a little bit closer, she let out a yawn and stretched her arms above her head before lowering them once more, one arm now leaning across the back of Vakhari's seat but not touching her. She then side-glanced Vakhari, "... The whole... pulling out the entire nervous system though... Can we actually do that next time? How hard is it?" she asked, displaying some of that genuine passion she was building for anatomy and surgery. Her arm remained behind Vakhari, it hadn't made the move to try and drape over her shoulders just yet...

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine
​

But of all the stars out there, I'm just glad I found the brightest one.

She gets a side glance from Vakhari, the girl soon rolling her eyes.

"Uh huhh..."

Her tone clearly didn't favour the compliment, but she did at least chuckle a bit at how bad it was.

"Don't make me reconsider now."

Vakhari crosses her arms, smirking at Valaine.

"You want to remove the whole nervous system? It's not as easy as one large organ Valaine, it's a very delicate system. Maybe we can start with the central system, that seems more achievable. If you feel like you are up to the task then I can get the supplies brought in first thing in the morning, no guidance on my part. I want to see pristine results, no damage done to the extracted parts."

Oh she wasn't getting soft, if anything Valaine had already been in the softer portions of learning.

"You have given serviceable results, what I commend the most is your enthusiasm and passion to learn. Even if this doesn't end up being that right path for you, it still shows not only me- but yourself that you have the ability to make an effort."

The girl uncrosses her arms, taking a drink. Keeping the warm cup firmly within her hands she shakes her head.

"Too many people never make that effort."

​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

Valaine nodded in agreement, "It was pretty bad huh..." she commented against her own earlier compliment with a light chuckle of amusement.

But the young Sangnir had questions of her own for Vakhari, and it was in something of a similar vein to the one she was given earlier. Tired eyes gazed upon the doctor thoughtfully as she crossed her legs and hummed. "... You've demonstrated time and time again that you're an expert in all this, but there is one thing that I keep thinking about. You could've taught just about anyone you cared to, taken on whoever you wanted. People who were maybe far more skilled than me, people who had more of a drive and passion, who showed more promise, but..." she tilted her head at her.

"Why'd you choose me? Why bring me out here? Is it just the enthusiasm? Is it just because of my blood and what I am?" she asked. She couldn't really understand why Vakhari might choose to bring her along with her, to teach her over other more accomplished students. And really she wanted to know if there was anything else there, anything at all that might hint to how she felt about her, if she considered her anything more than someone to teach.

"I'm hardly the smartest person around, you know?" she asked, and perhaps to demonstrate just how unwise she was, she finally made the move to kind of subtly lower her arm over Vakhari's shoulders, and making note of what they had both already agreed upon already; "It must be one of the colder nights..."

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine

The surprise arm made her jumpy, eyes darting as Valaine could feel it, Vakhari's force hovered both right above Valaines arm and deep into the joint. It was quick, if even just on reaction. She settles however, the potential arm dislocation and removal halted, Never been one for touches... Much less surprises... She hated those.

Her heart would thud loudly, nerves calming. This wasn't simply about germs this time, perhaps the doctor's past lead her to be so reactive.

"I- Listen, no surprise touching, understood?"

Oh but deep inside something within wanted to pop and twist that arm, it hungered to hear the screams.

"You do realize I teach classes right? But I suppose you mean the more one on one teaching we have, just you and me."

She clears her throat, calming down further.

"I have ran into students that went above and beyond, ones who to put it bluntly are further ahead of you. I picked you because you know better, sure your self loathing may be tiring at times but as far as I can tell your goal isn't aligned on the same path as many others. In their confidence I can see it, they have no real interest in what I am teaching. They have an interest in my name, in my titles. It's just the way of it, the way they were taught to survive."

The girl leans up a little, reaching for her fork while still letting Valaine rest her arm... If it was still laying on the doctor of course.

"You however, aren't Sith."

With a sly smirk she takes a bite of her food, eyeing Valaine.

"But that little secret will stay with me."​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

Valaine noted the resistance that pressed back against her arm briefly, and for a moment she was concerned that it was in fact just about to explode or something. She often seemed to forget just how powerful Vakhari was in the Force... And even though she was seemingly allowed to lower her arm around her, at the response of the doctor and her words, she instead chose not to. She brought that arm away from her and instead just rested her hand upon the table.

"Ah-... Sorry." she apologized. As with everything to do with Vakhari she had chose to respect her feelings. "Didn't mean to startle you." she spoke gently as she reached for her coffee, draining the rest of the cup with a soft sigh. She listened to her speak of teaching others, and explain why she taught Valaine, but something about her words caused her to frown ever so lightly. "Your name and titles? Honestly I don't know enough about either to care about them. I don't mean that in a dismissive way, just... Well, means very little to someone who isn't into all the politics and stuff. You're just Vakhari to me, sorry if that's like... Offensive. It isn't meant as such."

She had scooted close enough to the doctor that they were practically an inch or two from touching at this point, but Valaine didn't seem to push her luck any further in that regard as her hand idly drummed against the table it rested upon.

"You however, aren't Sith."

"Well, pushed into an academy against my will didn't make me very eager to get all... indoctrinated I guess. I can't even recite the code." she glanced towards Vakhari. "But... I appreciate you keeping it to yourself. I do trust you, after all."

She paused and offered a light smirk, "Also my self-loathing is like, my one real personality trait, don't go making fun of it." she spoke in jest at her own expense, she was no stranger to humility. "But you know, I'd really like it if you opened up just a little more to me. Rely on me a little more. I know Sith culture is all about stabbing each other in the back and all that, but I don't have that in me Vakhari. I'm not going to turn on the one person that I feel I can talk so casually to. I'd just isolate myself again if I was stupid enough to do that."

 

[Vakhari Lutris]

Tag: Valaine Valentine
​

"Your name and titles? Honestly I don't know enough about either to care about them. I don't mean that in a dismissive way, just... Well, means very little to someone who isn't into all the politics and stuff. You're just Vakhari to me, sorry if that's like... Offensive. It isn't meant as such."

"Works for me, no offense taken."

Valaine didn't even have to state all that she did, Vakhari already knew as much.

"I've opened up far more than you know, but yes I am trying. Never really been one to bother much with socialization, all the touching people do... Their unwashed hands.. Ugh."

Vakhari leans her head back again, closing her eyes.

"Taken in you say? I do recall that those found to be strong enough in the force are to be taken in as an Acolyte, I underwent a somewhat similar ordeal... But I can only remember wanting to go. It was during that time I was taken in as a new student at the Yalara academy, never a dull day."

As she became more relaxed, her fatigued mind began to try and form images of Yalara. A semi-dream state danced within her head, the thoughts of the academy being faded and twisted. The girl tries to focus harder, only seeing twisted black spires, looming void, a black door.

Vakhari hears it, a slight jingling of the doorknob. It slowly opens, the abyss staring into her soul.

Valaine would feel the air grow colder, a tingling crept up the Sangnir's spine as she could see a strange inky substance leak out from Vakhari's nose.

This primal fear was becoming reality, the both of them hearing a knock on a door. The knock waking Vakhari as her eyes sprang open, hand gripping at her chest. Thinking quickly, Vakhari grips Valaine to try and make sure they didn't try and see what caused the sound.

"D-Do not, ignore it.. Just ignore it."

The doctor's grip tightened, actual fear pulsing off her as that looming cold began to fade.

"I will explain as best I can in a moment, just enjoy your food."

A ritualistic thread is taken out of her pocket, quickly she adorns it around Valaine's neck. The glyphs did not match anything the Acolyte knew, yet her mind started to feel more sheltered. The thread a conduit, Vakhari the shield.

​

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Vakhari Lutris

"I've opened up far more than you know, but yes I am trying. Never really been one to bother much with socialization, all the touching people do... Their unwashed hands.. Ugh."

Valaine pouts coyly, "I wash my hands like, all the time now." she smirked. And it was true, she had been making it a point to wash and sanitize her hands whenever Vakhari was around these days. She knew that it was of some importance to her. "But ah, wow, we really do have quite a bit in common huh? Considering our pasts at least." she commented as she reached for her coffee, only to remember she had already finished it as she made an audible 'tsk' at the realization.

Her tired eyes looked back to Vakhari and at first she saw her relax, and it brought a light smile to her. If she could relax in her company then surely that was a good sign of progress. She was content to let the short doctor remain with her eyes closed, to let her enjoy a brief moment of relaxation and peace.

As it started to grow colder Valaine shivered, wrapping her arms around herself for a moment as she glanced around. She was only making the excuse that it was cold to get closer to Vakhari, but now it was genuinely cold. For a moment she was concerned for the doctor, she after all didn't want her to get sick from the cold weather as she looked back to her.

It was then she noticed the strange black substance leak from her nose. She tilted her head in confusion but before she could question it she felt her heart suddenly drop, as if something horrific had just been noticed or felt. Her eyes widened slightly with the sense of oppressive fear as her heart quickened and she heard the knock. She was about to ask what it was until Vakhari's hand suddenly gripped her tightly.

"D-Do not, ignore it.. Just ignore it."

At the warning she felt only a further spike of fear. If something had caused Vakhari to become so fearful, then assuredly she had cause to be only more afraid herself. She tried her best to ignore the primal fear surging within, the knock that she heard, and her eyes turned to stare at the table in front of her instead. A hand moved to gently place over the one that was gripping her so tightly as she squeezed it in her grasp.

She continued to try to act normal, reaching a hand for her fork as she lifted it and drew it close to the strawberry cake, her hand was shaking as she cut off a slice while Vakhari put the thread around her neck. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but she felt that presence of fear lessen as it adorned her. She let out a shuddering breath as she proceeded to feign normality, taking a bite from the cake on her fork as a bead of sweat dripped down the side of her face.